Our Story...
Community. Action. Resources. Empowerment. Services. = CARES, these important principles and ideals are the cornerstones of sustainable, workable and healthy communities – now and into the future.
In 2014, all but one portion of the former St. Alexander's Catholic Church property sat closed for three long years. One portion was, for more than 30 years, a life-line for infdividuals and families who had found themselves in hard times. That one protion was a Food Pantry.
The very real possibility of St. Alexander's Food Pantry closing permanently was in the forefront of the minds of three individuals who knew firsthand the potentially damaging consequences of the impending closure. Those individuals held positions in local government - Ken Massey, the Acting Mayor, Jerry Ellis, a former mayor and the third, Todd Lipa as Director of Farmington/Farmington Hills Youth and Family Services. Regardless of societal perceptions, these three gentlemen knew that many people in a seemingly affluent community were living at or near the poverty level - and that the loss of food security would add further burdens to already challenging situations.
Rather than letting community members go hungry, the existing Food Pantry only was purchased by the non-profit entitled the Graham E. Smith Memorial Fund for Suicide Prevention. (501(c)3). This allowed the Food Pantry to remain open within the existing closed St. Alexander's church building while the Archdiocese of Detroit sought a buyer for the entire property
In July 2017, knowing that this was a temporary stop-gap to ensure food security for the community, the Graham E. Smith Memorial Fund for Suicide Prevention moved forward with the purchase of the entire property. From July 2017 until March 2018 the non-profit kept the Food Pantry open. On March 22, 2018, C.A.R.E.S of Farmington Hills received its non-profit 501(c)3 status.
C.A.R.E.S. (Community. Action. Resources. Empowerment. Services)of Farmington Hills was now a reality, and in a few short years the community would begin to understand just how valuable this asset was to not only Farmington and Farmington Hills, but to residents in Southfield, Redford, Redford Township, Livonia, Clarenceville, Novi, Northville and West Bloomfield.
The building of a "Campus of Hope," had begun
From birth to death, every Human Being deserves the right to access all that Life can provide. Food. Shelter. Education. Safety. Stability. Encouragement. Resources. Guidance. Love. Respect. Kindness. And Care.
CARES of Farmington Hills is actively supporting 3 of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
"The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG), adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future."
#1 SDG - No Poverty - End Poverty in all its forms.
#2 SDG - Zero Hunger - End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
#3 SDG - Good Health and Well Being - Ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all at all ages.
#5 SDG- Gender Equality - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
To lean more about the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals please see this website. https://www.un.org/
